Fluid circulating device



Jan. 29, 1935.

Filed Nov. 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS HARRY E. CULLEN HENRY O. RONNINQ ATTORNEYS lad M Patented Jan. 29, 1935 if i j PAT'E FIlUl'D CIRCULATING DEVICE- Harry E. Cullen and Henry 0. Ronning,Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Henry P. Watson,

Minneapolis,

Alfred F. Pillsbury and Bessie Watson executors of said Henry P.' 'Watson, deceased Application November 4, 1931, Seria1 572,976 6 Claims. (01. 62-42 This invention relates generally to improvements in fluid circulating devices and particularly to the application of such devices to drinking water coolers and has, among its objects: to provide means whereby refrigerating contact with a given surface area of a vessel may be had substantially throughout the entire area to associate a pair of tubular elements in such a way as to provide a fluid circulating passage in which sub- 10 stantially the entire area of the inner surface of each element is opposed to the surface of the other; to provide a spiral circulating passage by the use of a sleeve which has certain portions spaced from the wall of the receptacle and which has other portions having only a spiral line contact with the receptacle; to provide, by the use of a sleeve, a spiral fluid circulating passage which repeatedly circumscribes a vessel, and in which one wall is formed by the vessel, whereby refrigerating fluid may be caused to contact the wall of the vessel substantially. throughoutthe entire area covered by the sleeve; and generally to provide a' device of the kind described which can be very cheaply manufactured and which can be easily assembled.

Features of the invention include all the details.

of constructiomralong with the broader ideas of means inherent in the disclosure.

Objects, features andv advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description of the drawings forming a part of this application, and invsaid drawings" Figure 1 is a vertical section through a water cooling apparatuashowing one embodiment of this invention; V Figure 2 is a detail sectionof a drinking water receptacle showing the applicationof the invention thereto; and

Figure 3 'is a plan section 40 we 1. A

- The water receptacle is indicated at 1 andis arranged within a chamber 2 at the top of the main casing generally indicated by the numeral 3. The water receptacle is spacedfrom the wall of the chamber and suitable insulating sheathing, not shown, is usually wrapped or packed about it.

The vessel 1 is downwardly" tapered. A conical sleeve 6 'is fitted overthe outer side of the vessel and its general angle of taper corresponds 60 to that of the vessel. The sleeve is punched to provideportions 7 which are spaced from the wall of the vessel 1 and these portions are connected by portions 8 which converge downwardly and which attheir'angular junctions with the portions 7 have a sealing spiral line or knife-edge contact as on line 3-3 of Fig at 9. By this means, a single continuous spiral passage generally indicated at 10 is provided. As the sleeve. is forced intoposition, the spiral line contact is obtained. Afterwards, thesleeve is circumferentially soldered to vessel lat opposite ends as at 1314. The portions 8 allow for expansion and contraction of the sleeve 1ength" wise as well as circumferentiallywithout putting undue strain on the soldered connections 1314. The spiral passage feature is broader than 'its application to the drinking water dispensing" field. The gistof the invention is the provision of conductive contact throughout substantially the entire surface area of .the conduction zone. The idea can :beapplied .to piping, wherein two tubular elements are so associated (and veither one or both formed) as to provide a spiral passage, whereby any suitable'fluidcan be made to contact substantially the entire areas of the OPE, posed.'surfaces 'of the elements. Either'onelor both of 'theelements may be shaped. Itis prefer able, however, to shape one of them to provide the spiral partitioning portion which has a continuous spiral sealingline contact, with; the .wallofthe otherelement. The use of refrigeration coils is common, but with coils the conductive contact is only a spiral tangent line contact. In the. present device, the conduction zone is not defined by a line contact, but by maximum surface con-w: tact, just the reverse of that of the tangent contactof the ordinary spiral tube; Vessels having hollow walls are 'also'used, but. with these devices there is; no cheap: and, sure way that conductive contact over the entire surfa'cecan be assured, since Jfluid follows the path of least; resistance, or short cuts from pointjof entrytopoint of exit. The spiralpassage of this invention preventsshort cutting and the fluid is forcedto contact the entire areaof thesurfaces of the conducting walls.- 'It is noted that in the present embodiment, there-is only a single passage and its conductive wallnincludes substantially the entire 'area ofthat portion of the receptacle (or; one tubular element) which is covered by or opposedto, the sleeve (or other tubular element). and; this-singlepassage is repeatedly circume scribing. y j' l g The tapering of the vessel and sleeve facilitates assembly,as well as the production and=main+ tenance of the'spiral line contact." Moreover, the screw thread-like formation of the sleeve permits of expansion and contraction due to-changes in temperature, withoutdue strain on the soldered or-brazedt'connections used tolsecure the: ends of the sleeve to thereceptaclepl It isto be noted that the bottom of the receptacle is not covered by the sleeve.

The use of the sleeve in the manner disclosed is also advantageous because its length can be varied according to the amount of refrigerating effect desired, and its use assures a contact of the refrigerant substantially over the entire surface of the outer or inner wall of the vessel with which it may be associated. Due to the tapered con-.

position in a manner to obtain an unhmken-aseall-i. ing contact along the spiral line. 9. p

It is entirely objectionable"to iplace refrigerat p ing coils in direct contactlwithdr inking water because of the danger offcontarriination The. problem has been to obtain a large surface contact of the refrigerant without the use of the coils and insofar as we are aware, this-'problem'has never before been satisfactorily solved. fiuch deevices as are commercially known, are expensive toztmannfacturecanrirhavea azminimumc of frefrigeranttefliciency; I V

Theesleeve: is .fonmedgbyl'ipressing; andtcan :be madeeofc any suitablesmetahirsuch.as steel, but preferably both receptacle: and sleeve are made: of pure-nickel: Thes'sleeve may beformed' by placingi'itzoverra I spiralfmandrel and: then pressing to; giverita spiral shape.a.

Openings 5 161-17 rareprovided thersleeve. at' opposite endsrofiatheaspiral passage; as. shown .at theileftzof Figurem, andinteriorly threaded'tubular elements i-l8zand;19 areisecured as shown. The refrigerating: apparatus which is: associated with the'structure' of this.- invention of the low pres:- sure control typerdesigned fortheuse ofisulphur dioxide .asa refrigerant; The apparatus per se isnoticlaimedzexcept generall'yas means irucom bination; to produce; refrigerating effectsin the spiral..passage; 1

. I'hevexpansionvvalve: is: generally indicated" at 20;: and this valve is suitably connected by nipple 21..withtelemsnt l9icommnn-icatingiwith the. lower extremity: of-"thevspiral passage: A nipple 22 is in; threaded connectiom'with: the element v18: at the upper: end-of. the spiral'ipassagec Theconnection or these elementswith: theirefrigerating apparatus ist'described' below. I

In thebottomofthereceptaclei1 there-is formed an'opening25; and :with this opening is associated an'.elbow.26 -and pipe: 27 forming a passage for withdrawing water." i The pipe, 27' passesthrough an opening: 28 in the insulating; wal-l i 29 J of l the upper chambemZ and is terminally threaded. To this: threaded-portion is attached-a; spigot: 32; of any- 'suitableconstruction, onlya fragment of the spigot casingbeing showm A washer' 33 is-inter posed; as shown; between the end of the casing andthe plate or sheet- 34 of-the main housing 3.

Frovision'is madefor:the control of the compress'or motor :by: a thermostat, the bulh of which is'indicated at '40; Thisthermostat is detachably mounted in the lower wall ofthe receptacle; 1; The bulbpasses-upwardly through a-pipe 42 which pipehasthreaded connection with aplug 43 pass ing through opening e i of the vessel 1.- 'I'h'eend of the'pipe 42 compresses packing 46 in the plug and surrounding the bulb 40. Gaskets; 47 -48 areinterposed as shown, and nut 50 sealingly clamps the plug in). operative-- position; The thermostat-us of the gas-expansion type and-the bulb-has the usual-'tube 52 'which extends down wardly through :a-plug. 53'. Thepipe passes tofla switch'controt b0x54; see=Figure 1;* Inasmuch as thexpresent invention .does notfirelatestopthe-cone struction:v oii this: thermostatically". controlled mechanism, the construction is not illustrated. However, the wiring connection for the motor is carried through cable 55. The motor is indicated at 56. The bulb usually controls a switch in the motor circuit.

Referring toFigure 1, the upper compartment 2 has aremovable cover which: also )fOIF-mS a cover for the "water receptacle, and'wl'fich is of the ..double-walled construction to reduce heat construction, the sleeve can be forced firmly into duration to the compartment 2. This cover is gen- .erallyyindi'cated at 60. The walls 6162 of the compartmentactto clampingly secure a gasket 63 irii operativerposition': The water bottle is indicated-atfi iand the-neck end of the bottle is sealin'gl'y; engaged with..- the gasket and extends through the. gasketinto the water receptacle in the usual manner.

The"re frigeratingplant or machinery is arrangedwithin the casing 3 below the compartment 2 and includes the usual compressor generally fmdicatedi; at 70.2 operatedn by 7 means; of. a pulleya'l-lg. .the spulley' havin'gi "fans 725-73. respectivels 'on its :opposite;. faces: The refrigeration machineryis niountedronxa frame generally indie cated air-74; the-acompressor on: the. upper..side.of the. frame and :the motor 56s on the: lowerx-sidez: This: framei 'me is suspended by: cushion members: onerof which is indicated'at .7 5.

'lheicon'denser coils *arezindicated: 'at180 and liebetweem the pulley farr anda. louver: indicated. at. 81. A second'louveri82 :iszzprovidecl :on the oppo site side'of'theahousing .3; The condenser coi1is= connectediby'one endewith theepressure sideof the pump at1831- andc-thes opposite; end: J ofi the coil :is:

connected; .toithna receiverr84=i as .at..85.. The re-' 5 ceiyerzis'connected fhyipipe; 86.. with the expansion valve. 20'. 'lfherecerveriisalso suspended from the: lower-side; of: the. frame; 74a The =suctn'omside: of; the compressorir is; connected" by; pipe 8 7 1" with the nipple22: The-motor operatesnthespulley through belt." 88. The motor: -is -mounted on a plate. 89.-:adjust'able:omscrews: 901 which are at tachedzto .a'plate.-I00 .carried.-byframe 574:

Itz is:.;to:be noted that the portions- '7? which are spaced from the receptacle are substantially paratlek. with the. axes of: the. receptacleand sleeve;:.arrd5it iwill nbe' further :noted :thatthey are substantially elongated. in 1 this axial: direction". Thiseisra'. valnabl'ei .featureiabecause: by constructtheisleeverimzthis' manner (or therreceptacle or: bothiisleeveaand; receptacle 9. thelength' of" the spiral line contact is substantiallys'reducedcand increased. flexibility of: the zwall' "of the. sleeve'vlin directionfoftintrodnctiorrforassembly is; obtained, and thus a substantially perfect spu ailflineisealingicontactzbetweengtheetubularymembersiisrunfailingly obtainedii. q 1i It will be noted that the crossesectiorral; area of E'thez spiral. space; is: elongated: in izdi'rectiomiof the axis of the sleeve and receptacle and also b'ecnotedz that 1 thesei spacessare narrow in a direction transverse; to thee axises obtains more refrigerating; efliciency: It is furtherrnoted that .the: sleeve can bevdie -stamped and; this is of considerable economiceimportancez.

Weclaim'as--our:invention':- 1.;In a device-o-ftthesclassrdescribe -;;a*.tapered receptacle; antapered: sleeve fittingaoventhezouh sideof ithesreceptacle'z and: havinggiportions .zofla'its wall-.zspaoed from the:.wall of zthe receptacle? and having othenportions:havingia :continuousrspiral line .contacttwithihe receptacle;. to provide a; spin ral :fluicbcirculating: passage: one wallofi whichnis formedtby the receptacleg thoseportionsioffthe sleeyezwi-iichnareespaced fromcthe'creceptaclecwall being substantially parallel with the axes of the receptacle and sleeve.

2. In a water dispensing apparatus, a receptacle, means for withdrawing water from the bottom of the receptacle, means cooperative with the outer surface of the vessel to provide a'fluid circulating passage, means for producing refrigerant effects in the passage, thermostatic means for controlling said last mentioned means including a bulb traversing the lower wall of the receptacle, and means by which the said bulb is detachably secured in operative position in the receptacle wall.

3. A device of the class described comprising a vessel of substantially conical configuration open at the top and tapering downwardly, and having means at the bottom for draining its contents, a tapered sleeve surrounding the vessel and having its walls formed to cooperate with the wall of the receptacle to provide a spiral fluid circulating passage in which substantially the entire area of the inner surface of each element is exposed to the other, and means for circulating refrigerant fluid through the passage, the crosssectional area of the spiral chamber being substantially elongated in direction axially of the vessel and sleeve to reduce the length of the spiral line of contact, whereby the tapering of both elements and the reduction in length of the spiral contact facilitates intimate contact and the maintenance of said contact to form a perfect seal.

4. A pair of tapered tubular elements one surrounding the other, one of the elements having portions of its wall spaced from the other and having other portions having a spiral line contact with the other, the spaced portions of the surrounding element being substantially parallel with the axes of the tubular elements.

5. In a water dispensing apparatus a tapered water dispensing receptacle and means for controlling the dispensing of water therefrom, a ta pered tubular element surrounding the receptacle, said receptacle and element being formed to cooperate to provide a spiral fluid circulating passage in which substantially the entire area of the inner surfaces of each element are exposed to the surface of the other, the passage so formed being elongated in direction of the axis of the receptacle and relatively narrow in' a direction transverse to said axis and being tapered from below upwardly, and means for circulating a refrigerant fluid through the passage.

6. A drinking water cooling and dispensing apparatus, comprisinga smooth walled water receptacle of tapered configuration open at the top,

means by which the top can be closed by the neck of an inverted bottle, a tapered sleeve surrounding the water receptacle at the outer side and having a portion of its wall spaced from the smooth wall of the receptacle, and having other portions having a sealing spiral line contact with the receptacle all to provide a spiral fluid circulating passage, means for circulating refrigerant through the spiral passage, and a passage communicating with the receptacle for controlling draw-off of the cooled water therefrom, and not passing either through the receptacle wall or the sleeve.

HARRY E. CULLEN.

HENRY O. RONNING. 

